York subway still on its rails

Brent Rose
Managing Editor
What’s the longest you’ve waited for a TTC subway train?
York students will have to wait four years for the anticipated completion of the York university subway station, and everyone’s hoping there won’t be delays.
Toronto Transit Service communication specialist Carolyn Embury says that, so far, there have not been any delays, and that construction is on
schedule.
However, the arrival of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) office that was set to replace former York Lanes eatery Taco Villa is still pending.
“Currently we have the exhibition space in York Lanes showing the model of York University station and some other information,” she said. “But at this time, I can’t give you a definite date when it’s going to be open.”
According to an Aug. 2010 Excalibur article, York University Development Corporation (YUDC) president Bud Purves said the TYSSE office, which would see an in-person TTC representative answer students’ questions on the construction, was to open in either September or October 2010.
Now that the Steeles West station, just north of Keele campus, has been approved, Embury says the TTC will host another open house early March at the CIBC Centre in the Accolade East Building.
“[York students] can talk to the architect,” said Embury of the open house schedule. “The station architectural model will be on show, and we’ll have display boards showing more of the Steeles West station, more than what’s in the actual commission report.”
British architect Will Alsop, who also participated in designing the iconic Sharp Center for Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), designed the new Steeles West station.
When asked why the TTC committee – also responsible for choosing the designer – did not choose a Torontonian or Canadian architect, Embury said they opened the opportunity to the international community to work with the best candidate.

Compiled by Brent Rose